British teen arrested in connection with Anzac terror plot

UK police have confirmed a British teenager has been arrested in connection with a terror plot inspired by the Islamic State to attack a First World War commemoration event in Australia.

The boy, reported to by
14-years-old, was held on suspicion of preparing acts of
terrorism at an address in Blackburn in the north of England, on
April 2. He was released, but arrested again on Saturday for
another alleged terror offence, Manchester police said.

“We have uncovered communication between an individual in the
North West and a man in Australia to what we believe is a
credible terrorist threat,” said Detective Chief
Superintendent Tony Mole, from the North West Counter Terrorism
Unit.

He added there was no immediate threat to the public in Britain.

The news follows the arrests of five teenagers suspected to be
planning terror attack on Anzac Day in Melbourne.

On Saturday, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said youths
were intending to carry out an “Islamic State” inspired
attack on April 25.

The date, originally marked to honor the Australian and New
Zealand Army Corps who died in the First World War, but has since
been expanded to commemorate the deaths of all troops killed in
conflict.

Two of the men were arrested on suspicion of preparing for acts
of terrorism, and one was held in relation to weapons offences.

The two other men were detained for questioning.

Australian police said they believe the plot involved “edged
weapons” such as knives and swords, and was inspired by the
Islamic State.

Australian Federal Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan
said officers have apprehended individuals planning a
“violent and unprovoked attack” and pledged to continue
working to control extremism in Melbourne.

“At this stage we have no information that it was a planned
beheading,” he added. But there was reference to an attack
on police.

“Some evidence that we have collected at a couple of the
scenes, and some other information we have, leads us to believe
that this particular matter was ISIS-inspired.”

Speaking on Saturday, the Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews
asked the population not to use the foiled plot to foster
anti-Muslim sentiment.

“These people are not people of faith, they don't represent
any culture,” he said.

“This is not an issue of how you pray or where you were born.
This is not about those issues.

“This is simply evil,” he added.

Australian forces are part of the US-led coalition current
battling Islamic State militants in Iraq.